Big Ten media day: Zook touts Illinois “character teams”
Ron Zook revealed this morning that he instituted “character teams” within the Illini roster in the spring as a way to hold players accountable for their actions among peers.
The roster was split into 10 teams, but not just randomly. The 10 captains selected teammates through a draft. Punishment for any violations of team rules, such as missing study hall or being late for class, are shared among all members of a team.
“A lot of (schools) are doing things of that nature,” Zook said. “I’m not saying it’s the answer but it has forced guys to focus on things off the field. And it’s forced us to have guys in leadership roles. If you don’t want to do 200, 300 floors on the stairmaster, everyone on the team better do things right.”
Zook declined to reveal which player was selected last. Junior defensive back Garrett Edwards was the first pick.
sounds like preschool or grade school to me sorry. If we can’t be adult in our behavior as pro athletes, then we have more to worry about than wins or losses. Why are pro’s expected not to focus on things off the field to begin with. When you get to the professional ranks, one should understand that behavior is one thing besides talent that got us there. I know many pro athletes are less stellar in the off the field activity. Even this is college or any level of athletes. They should be the example, not the warning. May be stupid, but this is my two cents here.
Great idea. I’m a 20 veteran of the USMC. All branches of the military employ similar techniques/processes to hold people accountable and develope leadership. Every organization needs people to have “personal responsibility” and all need more leaders. I think Coach Zook deserves congrats for trying to both. In response to the previous comemnt, these aren’t “pro atheletes” they’re young adults living away from home for the the first time. With all the things a student athelete must accomplish, while staying away from bad temptations, a program like this will help facilitate making good choices…it is also a very important team building concept. Great job Coach Zook.